Article - Buckle gift fits UNK computer students to a T

Buckle gift fits UNK computer students to a T

Buckle creates new scholarship and career development program for students at UNK.

Posted:
Wed, Aug 29, 2012

A company long known for helping young adults look their best is also helping them learn their best.

Nebraska fashion firm Buckle created a new scholarship and career development program for students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

The Buckle Excellence Scholarship is a permanently endowed fund established with a $150,000 gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation to provide annual scholarship awards forever for students interested in careers related to computer science or information technology.

John La Duke, dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences, says it's admirable what Buckle's management and IT professionals are doing to support students.

"Our Department of Computer Science and Information Systems faculty work very hard to not only train but also mentor students to be professionals," La Duke says. "Buckle's interest in helping our students excel is admirable, and we look forward to strengthening this interaction."

La Duke also lauded the company for starting a student internship program and for hiring numerous computer science and information systems graduates over the years. Buckle also offers its employees for classroom presentations and gives students opportunities to visit the company's headquarters and operations.

Buckle's President Dennis Nelson says the company recognizes the importance of establishing a strong technical workforce in Nebraska.

"By supporting the computer science program at UNK, Buckle hopes to encourage and support the growth of that workforce and the development of future IT professionals," explains Nelson.

"Buckle's IT teams provide innovative solutions that impact all functions of our business. So, naturally, we're excited to support the growth and development of computer science students and strengthen our relationship with UNK going forward."

Each year, two $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to students in the UNK Department of Computer Science and Information Systems who meet academic requirements. A scholarship will be awarded every year to an incoming freshman, and a second scholarship will be awarded during the student's sophomore year based on academic achievement.

The scholarship Buckle created supports the university's current fundraising initiative, the Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities and a priority to increase available student scholarships. If you'd like to contribute to this effort, please consider giving online or contact the University of Nebraska Foundation at 800-432-3216.

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Over the years of helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals we have developed a number of We Believe Statements to guide us. One of those beliefs is that higher education has the power to transform lives and communities.

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Over the years of helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals, we identified beliefs that guide us. One of those beliefs is that private gifts have the power to transform the University of Nebraska.